Contextual layer for digital content

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for contextual layers for digital content are provided. Contextual information regarding a digital content stream may be stored in memory. Different sets of the contextual information may be associated with different predefined parts of the digital content stream. A request may be received from a user device over a communication network. Such request may concern context for a scene within the digital content stream, The scene may be identified as associated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digital content stream, One of the stored sets of contextual information may be retrieved based on the at least one predefined part of the digital content stream. A contextual layer may be generated based on the retrieved set of contextual information. Such contextual layer may include a presentation of the retrieved set of contextual information to be overlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital content stream.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to digital content. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to providing a contextuallayer for digital content.

2. Description of the Related Art

Presently available digital content streams include those that have longand/or complex histories, mythologies, narratives, storylines,backgrounds, terminologies, lexicons, rules, and other contexts. In somecases, such contexts may (eventually) become discernible to a user givenenough effort and time. While rich contexts may prolong and deepenengagement with long-time users, complexity may act as a barrier toentry and engagement, however, for new and casual users.

In addition, certain universes—and their storylines and mythologies—maygo back years if not decades, as well as extend over different types ofdigital media (e.g., print, e-books, audio, video including televisedepisodes and movies, digital games) and multiple titles thereof. A userwho is new to such an extended universe may be intimidated by the sheeramount of content, let alone the complex relationships describedtherein. Such a user may thus find their introduction to a particularcontent stream confusing and/or frustrating, especially if they arenavigating through the stream alone or without the assistance ofknowledgeable or experienced friends.

Meanwhile, even long-time users may wish to be able to access contextualdata more easily or more immediately during play of digital content.Many digital content streams may not include such contextual data. Assuch, obtaining contextual data may therefore require access to variousinformation sources, as well as time and effort to formulate queries orotherwise search for the same.

There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved systems and methodsof providing a contextual layer for digital content.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention allow for providing a contextuallayer for digital content. Contextual information regarding a digitalcontent stream may be stored in memory. Different sets of the contextualinformation may be associated with different predefined parts of thedigital content stream. A request may be received from a user deviceover a communication network. Such request may concern context for ascene within the digital content stream, The scene may be identified asassociated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream, One of the stored sets of contextual information may beretrieved based on the at least one predefined part of the digitalcontent stream. A contextual layer may be generated based on theretrieved set of contextual information. Such contextual layer mayinclude a presentation of the retrieved set of contextual information tobe overlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream.

Various embodiments of the present invention may include methods forproviding a contextual layer for digital content. Such methods mayinclude storing contextual information regarding a digital contentstream in memory where different sets of the contextual information isassociated with different predefined parts of the digital contentstream. Methods may further include receiving a request from a userdevice over a communication network concerning context for a scenewithin the digital content stream, identifying that the scene isassociated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream, retrieving one of the stored sets of contextualinformation based on the at least one predefined part of the digitalcontent stream, and generating a contextual layer that includes apresentation of the retrieved set of contextual information to beoverlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream.

Further embodiments of the present invention may include systems forproviding a contextual layer for digital content. Such systems mayinclude memory that stores contextual information regarding a digitalcontent stream where different sets of the contextual information isassociated with different predefined parts of the digital contentstream. Systems may further include a communication interface thatreceives a request from a user device over a communication network thatconcerns context for a scene within the digital content stream. Inaddition, systems may include a processor that identifies that the sceneis associated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream, retrieves one of the stored sets of contextualinformation based on the at least one predefined part of the digitalcontent stream, and generates a contextual layer that includes apresentation of the retrieved set of contextual information to beoverlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream.

Yet further embodiments of the present invention may includenon-transitory computer-readable storage media having embodied thereon aprogram executable by a processor to perform a method for providing acontextual layer for digital content as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment in which a systemfor providing a contextual layer for digital content may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary contextual layer for digital contentthat may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is a screenshot illustrating an exemplary scene that may bedisplayed during play of digital content.

FIG. 3B is a screenshot illustrating an exemplary contextual layer thatmay be provided for the scene of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of providingcontextual layer for digital content.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary electronic entertainment system that may be usedto provide a contextual layer for digital content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention allow for providing a contextuallayer for digital content. Contextual information regarding a digitalcontent stream may be stored in memory. Different sets of the contextualinformation may be associated with different predefined parts of thedigital content stream. A request may be received from a user deviceover a communication network. Such request may concern context for ascene within the digital content stream, The scene may be identified asassociated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream, One of the stored sets of contextual information may beretrieved based on the at least one predefined part of the digitalcontent stream. A contextual layer may be generated based on theretrieved set of contextual information. Such contextual layer mayinclude a presentation of the retrieved set of contextual information tobe overlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment 100 in which asystem for providing a contextual layer for digital content may beimplemented. The network environment 100 may include one or more contentsource servers 100 that provide digital content (e.g., games, otherapplications and services) for distribution, one or more contentprovider server application program interfaces (APIs) 120, contentdelivery network server 130, a context management server 140, and one ormore user devices 150. The servers described herein may include any typeof server as is known in the art, including standard hardware computingcomponents such as network and media interfaces, non-transitorycomputer-readable storage (memory), and processors for executinginstructions or accessing information that may be stored in memory. Thefunctionalities of multiple servers may be integrated into a singleserver. Any of the aforementioned servers (or an integrated server) maytake on certain client-side, cache, or proxy server characteristics.These characteristics may depend on the particular network placement ofthe server or certain configurations of the server.

Content source servers 110 may maintain and provide a variety of digitalcontent available for distribution. The content source servers 110 maybe associated with any content provider that makes its content availablefor access over a communication network. Such content may include notonly digital video and games, but also other types of digitalapplications and services. Such applications and services may includeany variety of different digital content and functionalities that may beprovided to user devices 150.

The content from content source server 110 may be provided through acontent provider server API 120, which allows various types of contentsources server 110 to communicate with other servers in the networkenvironment 100 (e.g., user devices 150). The content provider serverAPI 120 may be specific to the particular language, operating system,protocols, etc. of the content source server 110 providing the content,as well as the user devices 150. In a network environment 100 thatincludes multiple different types of content source servers 110, theremay likewise be a corresponding number of content provider server APIs120 that allow for various formatting, conversion, and othercross-device and cross-platform communication processes for providingcontent and other services to different user devices 150, which may usedifferent operating systems, protocols, etc., to process such content.As such, applications and services in different formats may be madeavailable so as to be compatible with a variety of different user device150.

The content provider server API 120 may further facilitate access ofeach of the user devices 150 to the content hosted or services providedby the content source servers 110, either directly or via contentdelivery network server 130. Additional information, such as metadata,about the accessed content or service can also be provided by thecontent provider server API 120 to the user device 150. As describedbelow, the additional information (i.e. metadata) can be usable toprovide details about the content or service being provided to the userdevice 150. In some embodiments, the services provided from the contentsource servers 110 to the user device 150 via the content providerserver API 120 may include supporting services that are associated withother content or services, such as chat services, ratings, and profilesthat are associated with a particular game, team, community, etc. Insuch cases, the content source servers 110 may also communicate witheach other via the content provider server API 120.

The content delivery network server 130 may include a server thatprovides resources, files, etc., related to the content from contentsource servers 110, including various content and serviceconfigurations, to user devices 150. The content delivery network server130 can also be called upon by the user devices 150 that request toaccess specific content or services. Content delivery network server 130may include universe management servers, game servers, streaming mediaservers, servers hosting downloadable content, and other contentdelivery servers known in the art.

Context management server 140 may include any data server known in theart that is capable of managing contextual data for a variety of digitalcontent streams. In an exemplary implementation, context managementserver 140 manages storage of contextual information for differentcontent streams. When a user device 150 requests context for a currentscene within a specific content stream, context management server 140may identify a specific set of contextual information and generate acontextual layer that presents the identified set of contextualinformation to be overlaid over the current scene.

The user device 150 may include a plurality of different types ofcomputing devices. The user device 150 may be a server that provides aninternal service (e.g., to other servers) in network environment 100. Insuch cases, user device 150 may correspond to one of the content servers110 described herein. Alternatively, the user device 150 may be a clientdevice that may include any number of different gaming consoles, mobiledevices, laptops, and desktops. Such user devices 150 may also beconfigured to access data from other storage media, such as, but notlimited to memory cards or disk drives as may be appropriate in the caseof downloaded services. Such user devices 150 may include standardhardware computing components such as, but not limited to network andmedia interfaces, non-transitory computer-readable storage (memory), andprocessors for executing instructions that may be stored in memory.These user devices 150 may also run using a variety of differentoperating systems (e.g., iOS, Android), applications or computinglanguages (e.g., C++, JavaScript). An exemplary client device 150 isdescribed in detail herein with respect to FIG. 5. Each user device 150may be associated with participants or other types of spectators of acollection of digital content streams.

In an exemplary implementation, a user device 150 may request a digitalcontent stream hosted by content source server 110. Such request may bemade via content delivery network server 130 in conjunction with contentprovider server APIs 120. Meanwhile, context management server 150 maymaintain contextual data regarding the digital content stream. Eachdigital content stream made available in network environment 100 may beassociated with a different body of contextual information, anddifferent sets of that contextual information may be associated withdifferent predefined parts of the digital content stream. For example, adigital game may involve a variety of different players, as well asdifferent in-game objects (inclusive of in-game characters, locations,creatures, weapons, prizes, etc.). Each player and in-game object may beassociated with a different set of contextual information. Suchcontextual information may include information regarding histories,mythologies, narratives, storylines, backgrounds, biographies,terminologies, lexicons, rules, objectives, statistical data, relatedworks, instruction manuals, guides, hyperlinks, commentaries, and otherassociated media.

A user device 140 that is streaming a particular digital content streammay make a request for context while a specific scene of the digitalcontent stream is currently played. Such stream may or may not be pausedin response to the contextual request. Where the requestor is theplayer, for example, the stream may be paused to allow the player toreview the contextual information presented in the contextual layer.Some spectators, however, may prefer to allow the stream to keep playingthe background, while the contextual layer is presented (e.g., as apartial or translucent overlay). In some embodiments, the contextuallayer may be updated in real-time as the digital content streamcontinues to play.

Context management server 140 may identify that the request isassociated with the specified scene within the digital content streamand further that the specified scene is associated with at least one ofthe predefined parts of the digital content stream. For example, thescene may include a character holding a weapon and fighting a creature.Within the body of contextual data for the digital content stream,different sets of contextual data may be identified as providing contextregarding the character, weapon, and creature, respectively. Parts ofthe contextual data sets may be related (e.g., applicable rules, scoringsystems, and respective abilities in combat). Analyses of the scene inorder to identify which contextual data sets to retrieve may furtherinclude image analyses, audio/voice analyses (e.g., identifiedkeywords), metadata analyses regarding current status, and otheranalyses. For interactive and game content, game data (includingmetadata) may be provided from content source server 110 and/or contentdelivery server 130 regarding current game status for the current scenewithin the digital content stream. Where the digital content stream maybe associated with audio commentary, for example, the content of thecommentary may also be analyzed in accordance with the foregoingtechniques. The current scene may further be identified by reference tothe point in time at which the current scene appears or a locationwithin a virtual universe where the current scene is set.

Context management server 140 may then retrieve one or more of thestored sets of contextual information based on at least one predefinedpart (e.g., character, weapon, creature) found in the scene. In someembodiments, the current scene of the digital content stream may includemultiple objects, and the behavior of the user device 140 in making therequest may specifically indicate a selection among the objects. In suchinstance, the context management server 140 may prioritize retrieval ofthe set of contextual information associated with the selected object.As discussed in further detail below, the retrieved set(s) of contextualinformation may be used to generate a contextual layer. Where there aremultiple objects and a selection therefrom, different contextuallayers—based on different sets of contextual data retrieved or differentlayouts—may be generated based on different selections.

Referring to the earlier exemplary scene involving the specificcharacter, weapon, and creature, context management server 140 mayretrieve the associated sets of contextual data for use generating acontextual layer that presents the contextual data identified asrelevant to the character, weapon, and creature depicted in the specificscene. For digital content streams that are interactive (e.g., game),such contextual data ya further include information regarding how thescene fits into the game title generally, current game session/status,game objectives, and other game-related contexts. Such contextual datamay be incorporated into and presented by the contextual layer in avariety of ways.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary contextual layer 200 for digitalcontent that may be provided in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. As illustrated, such contextual layer 200 may beconfigured as an overlay for a window display of digital content. Thediagram of FIG. 2 illustrates a play bar, which may be used to navigatewithin the digital content stream, as well as play/pause, skip forward(e.g., +10), and skip back (e.g., −10) options. In addition, thecontextual layer 200 includes a series of boxes on the left-hand side,which may be used to present contextual data. The layout illustrated forcontextual layer 200 in FIG. 2 is exemplary, however, and the contextualdata may be presented in a variety of different layouts for contentoverlays as known in the art.

FIG. 3A is a screenshot illustrating an exemplary scene that may bedisplayed during play of digital content, and FIG. 3B is a screenshotillustrating an exemplary contextual layer that may be provided for thescene of FIG. 3A. The scene illustrated FIG. 3A is from a digitalcontent stream associated with the game title “Call of Duty: Blackout.”Such a stream may be accessed by a spectator device (e.g., user device150), who requests context for the current scene. FIG. 3G illustratesthe exemplary contextual layer with information cards containing currentgame data identified as being relevant to the current scene,specifically the current status of players, current objective, and thecurrent weapon.

In some embodiments, the generated contextual layer may be furthercurated and/or customized in accordance with different parameters andpreferences. For example, context management server 140 may furtherstore or access historical or statistical data regarding previousinteractions by a plurality of user devices with the digital contentstream. Such data may be used as a basis for identifying or prioritizingthat the scene is associated with a specific set of contextual data.Such prioritized dataset may be presented more prominently within thecontextual layer generated by context management server 140. Further,context management server 140 may make a prediction regarding a futureinteraction with the digital content stream based on the historical orstatistical data. Such prediction may also be presented in thecontextual layer, as well as used as a basis for filtering orcustomizing related sets of data within the presentation of thecontextual layer. Different users of user devices 150 may also beassociated with user profiles that include preferences and other userdata (e.g., skill level, experience level, games played, designated teammembers and friends, express interests). Such profile data may also beused to customize a contextual layer (e.g., prioritizing or making moreprominent the contextual information that is related to the profiledata).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 400 of providingcontextual layer for digital content. The method 400 of FIG. 4 may beembodied as executable instructions in a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium including but not limited to a CD, DVD, ornon-volatile memory such as a hard drive. The instructions of thestorage medium may be executed by a processor (or processors) to causevarious hardware components of a computing device hosting or otherwiseaccessing the storage medium to effectuate the method. The stepsidentified in FIG. 4 (and the order thereof) are exemplary and mayinclude various alternatives, equivalents, or derivations thereofincluding but not limited to the order of execution of the same.

In method 400 of FIG. 4, contextual information regarding a digitalcontent stream may be stored in memory. Different sets of the contextualinformation may be associated with different predefined parts of thedigital content stream. A request may be received from a user deviceover a communication network. Such request may concern context for ascene within the digital content stream, The scene may be identified asassociated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream, One of the stored sets of contextual information may beretrieved based on the at least one predefined part of the digitalcontent stream. A contextual layer may be generated based on theretrieved set of contextual information. Such contextual layer mayinclude a presentation of the retrieved set of contextual information tobe overlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream.

In step 410, information regarding contextual datasets may be stored andmanaged by context management server 140. In some embodiments,contextual information may also be stored at content source servers 110,content delivery network servers 130, and other data sources (e.g.,various websites). Each digital content stream may therefore beassociated with a body of contextual data stored in different locations,and different sets of the contextual information with that body may beassociated with different predefined parts (e.g., points in time,virtual location, character, weapons, other objects, etc.) of thedigital content stream. The information stored by context managementserver 140 includes information regarding where different sets of thecontextual information is stored so as to allow for retrieval of thesame as needed.

In step 420, a request may be received from a user device 150 over acommunication network. Such user device may be streaming a specificdigital content stream and have made the request in association with aspecific scene. Various types of data and metadata regarding thespecified scene may be included in the request or may be accessed fromcontent source server 110 (or content delivery network server 130). Someanalysis—image analysis or audio analysis—may also be performed toidentify the scene and its contents.

In step 430, context management server 140 may identify that the sceneis associated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream. Such parts may include specific characters, weapons,creatures, and other objects, etc., depicted with the scene. In certaininteractive digital content titles, the parts may further includecurrent game status, game level, and relationships to certainobjectives. Once the scene is identified as including certain componentparts, such parts may be correlated to specifically identified sets ofcontextual data.

In step 440, context management server 140 retrieves the specificallyidentified sets of contextual information from their respective storagelocations. As noted above, the sources for the contextual informationmay be varied, and as such, the context management server 140 mayretrieve different datasets from multiple different storage locationsbased on the identified parts of the scene indicated by the request.

In step 450, context management server 140 generates a contextual layerbased on the retrieved set(s) of contextual information. The generatedcontextual layer may include a presentation of the retrieved set ofcontextual information to be overlaid on at least part of the scenewithin the digital content stream. Such overlay may exhibit differentdegrees of translucency, so that viewer can see the underlying scene inconjunction with the presented contextual information. In someinstances, the contextual layer may only overlay part of the scene.Context management server 140 may also configure the presentation of thecontextual information around the content of the scene, so as not toobscure the same. Other layouts for the contextual layer may include adesignated area of the screen to be used for the retrieved set ofcontextual information.

In step 460, the contextual layer may be customized to the requestinguser via a profile indicative of certain preferences and parameters.Such preferences and parameters may be used to filter the retrievedcontextual information, as well as to select different configurationsand prioritize different retrieved sets of contextual information.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary client electronic entertainment system that maybe used in shadow testing. The entertainment system 500 of FIG. 5includes a main memory 505, a central processing unit (CPU) 510, vectorunit 515, a graphics processing unit 520, an input/output (I/O)processor 525, an I/O processor memory 530, a peripheral interface 535,a memory card 540, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface 545, and acommunication network interface 550. The entertainment system 500further includes an operating system read-only memory (OS ROM) 555, asound processing unit 560, an optical disc control unit 570, and a harddisc drive 565, which are connected via a bus 575 to the I/O processor525.

Entertainment system 500 may be an electronic game console.Alternatively, the entertainment system 500 may be implemented as ageneral-purpose computer, a set-top box, a hand-held game device, atablet computing device, or a mobile computing device or phone.Entertainment systems may contain more or less operating componentsdepending on a particular form factor, purpose, or design.

The CPU 510, the vector unit 515, the graphics processing unit 520, andthe I/O processor 525 of FIG. 5 communicate via a system bus 585.Further, the CPU 510 of FIG. 5 communicates with the main memory 505 viaa dedicated bus 580, while the vector unit 515 and the graphicsprocessing unit 520 may communicate through a dedicated bus 590. The CPU510 of FIG. 5 executes programs stored in the OS ROM 555 and the mainmemory 505. The main memory 505 of FIG. 5 may contain pre-storedprograms and programs transferred through the I/O Processor 525 from aCD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical disc (not shown) using the opticaldisc control unit 570. I/O Processor 525 of FIG. 5 may also allow forthe introduction of content transferred over a wireless or othercommunications network (e.g., 5G, LTE, 1G, and so forth). The I/Oprocessor 525 of FIG. 5 primarily controls data exchanges between thevarious devices of the entertainment system 500 including the CPU 510,the vector unit 515, the graphics processing unit 520, and theperipheral interface 535.

The graphics processing unit 520 of FIG. 5 executes graphicsinstructions received from the CPU 510 and the vector unit 515 toproduce images for display on a display device (not shown). For example,the vector unit 515 of FIG. 5 may transform objects fromthree-dimensional coordinates to two-dimensional coordinates, and sendthe two-dimensional coordinates to the graphics processing unit 520.Furthermore, the sound processing unit 560 executes instructions toproduce sound signals that are outputted to an audio device such asspeakers (not shown). Other devices may be connected to theentertainment system 500 via the USB interface 545, and thecommunication network interface 550 such as wireless transceivers, whichmay also be embedded in the system 500 or as a part of some othercomponent such as a processor.

A user of the entertainment system 500 of FIG. 5 provides instructionsvia the peripheral interface 535 to the CPU 510, which allows for use ofa variety of different available peripheral devices (e.g., controllers)known in the art. For example, the user may instruct the CPU 510 tostore certain game information on the memory card 540 or othernon-transitory computer-readable storage media or instruct a characterin a game to perform some specified action.

The present invention may be implemented in an application that may beoperable by a variety of end user devices. For example, an end userdevice may be a personal computer, a home entertainment system (e.g.,Sony PlayStation2® or Sony PlayStation3® or Sony PlayStation4®), aportable gaming device (e.g., Sony PSP® or Sony Vita®), or a homeentertainment system of a different albeit inferior manufacturer. Thepresent methodologies described herein are fully intended to be operableon a variety of devices. The present invention may also be implementedwith cross-title neutrality wherein an embodiment of the present systemmay be utilized across a variety of titles from various publishers.

The present invention may be implemented in an application that may beoperable using a variety of devices. Non-transitory computer-readablestorage media refer to any medium or media that participate in providinginstructions to a central processing unit (CPU) for execution. Suchmedia can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatileand volatile media such as optical or magnetic disks and dynamic memory,respectively. Common forms of non-transitory computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital videodisk (DVD), any other optical medium, RAM, PROM, EPROM, a FLASHEPROM,and any other memory chip or cartridge.

Various forms of transmission media may be involved in carrying one ormore sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU for execution. A buscarries the data to system RAM, from which a CPU retrieves and executesthe instructions. The instructions received by system RAM can optionallybe stored on a fixed disk either before or after execution by a CPU.Various forms of storage may likewise be implemented as well as thenecessary network interfaces and network topologies to implement thesame.

The foregoing detailed description of the technology has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed.Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explainthe principles of the technology, its practical application, and toenable others skilled in the art to utilize the technology in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of thetechnology be defined by the claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing a contextual layer fordigital content, the system comprising: memory that stores: contextualinformation regarding a digital content stream, wherein different setsof the contextual information is associated with different predefinedparts of the digital content stream; and one or more prioritizationparameters; a communication interface that receives a request from auser device over a communication network, wherein the request concernscontext for a scene within the digital content stream; and a processorthat executes instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of theinstructions by the processor: identifies that the scene is associatedwith at least one of the predefined parts of the digital content stream,retrieves one or more of the stored sets of contextual information basedon the at least one predefined part of the digital content stream,wherein one of the retrieved sets of contextual information isprioritized in accordance with the one or more prioritizationparameters, and generates a contextual layer based on the retrieved setsof contextual information, wherein the generated contextual layerincludes a presentation of the retrieved sets of contextual informationto be overlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream, wherein the prioritized set of contextual information isdisplayed more prominently within the generated contextual layer.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one predefined part of thedigital content stream is a digital object, and wherein the processoridentifies that the scene is associated with the at least one predefinedpart based on the scene including the digital object.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the scene includes at least one other digital object,and wherein request further indicates selection of the digital object.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor generates a differentcontextual layer that includes a presentation of a different set ofcontextual information when the at least one other digital object isselected.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further storesmetadata generated in real-time regarding interaction with the digitalcontent stream, and wherein the processor identifies that the scene isassociated with the at least one predefined part based on the metadata.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further stores historicalor statistical data regarding previous interactions by a plurality ofuser devices with the digital content stream, and wherein the processoridentifies that the scene is associated with the at least one predefinedpart based on the historical or statistical data.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the processor further makes a prediction regarding a futureinteraction with the digital content stream, the prediction based on thehistorical or statistical data.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein therequest specifies a point in time or virtual location associated withthe scene within the digital content stream, and wherein the processoridentifies that the scene is associated with the at least one predefinedpart based on the specified point in time or specified virtual location.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more prioritizationparameters are stored in a profile associated with the user device, andwherein the processor further retrieves the profile associated with theuser device and customizes the presentation based on the one or moreprioritization parameters within the retrieved profile.
 10. A method forproviding a contextual layer for digital content, the method comprising:storing in memory: contextual information regarding a digital contentstream, wherein different sets of the contextual information isassociated with different predefined parts of the digital contentstream, and one or more prioritization parameters; receiving a requestfrom a user device over a communication network, wherein the requestconcerns context for a scene within the digital content stream; andexecuting instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of theinstructions by a processor: identifies that the scene is associatedwith at least one of the predefined parts of the digital content stream,retrieves one or more of the stored sets of contextual information basedon the at least one predefined part of the digital content stream,wherein one of the retrieved sets of contextual information isprioritized in accordance with the one or more prioritizationparameters, and generates a contextual layer based on the retrieved setsof contextual information, wherein the generated contextual layerincludes a presentation of the retrieved sets of contextual informationto be overlaid on at least part of the scene within the digital contentstream, wherein the prioritized set of contextual information isdisplayed more prominently within the generated contextual layer. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one predefined part of thedigital content stream is a digital object, and wherein identifying thatthe scene is associated with the at least one predefined part is basedon the scene including the digital object.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the scene includes at least one other digital object, andwherein request further indicates selection of the digital object. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising generating a differentcontextual layer that includes a presentation of a different set ofcontextual information when the at least one other digital object isselected.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising storingmetadata generated in real-time regarding interaction with the digitalcontent stream, wherein identifying that the scene is associated withthe at least one predefined part is based on the metadata.
 15. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising storing historical or statisticaldata regarding previous interactions by a plurality of user devices withthe digital content stream, wherein identifying that the scene isassociated with the at least one predefined part is based on thehistorical or statistical data.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising making a prediction regarding a future interaction with thedigital content stream, the prediction based on the historical orstatistical data.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the requestspecifies a point in time or virtual location associated with the scenewithin the digital content stream, and wherein identifying that thescene is associated with the at least one predefined part is based onthe specified point in time or specified virtual location.
 18. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising retrieving a profile associatedwith the user device, and customizing the presentation of the retrievedset of contextual information based on the retrieved profile.
 19. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereona program executable by a processor to perform a method for providing acontextual layer for digital content, the method comprising: storing:contextual information regarding a digital content stream, whereindifferent sets of the contextual information is associated withdifferent predefined parts of the digital content stream, and one ormore prioritization parameters; receiving a request from a user deviceover a communication network, wherein the request concerns context for ascene within the digital content stream; identifying that the scene isassociated with at least one of the predefined parts of the digitalcontent stream; retrieving one or more of the stored sets of contextualinformation based on the at least one predefined part of the digitalcontent stream, wherein one of the retrieved sets of contextualinformation is prioritized in accordance with the one or moreprioritization parameters, and generating a contextual layer based onthe retrieved sets of contextual information, wherein the generatedcontextual layer includes a presentation of the retrieved sets ofcontextual information to be overlaid on at least part of the scenewithin the digital content stream, wherein the prioritized set ofcontextual information is displayed more prominently within thegenerated contextual layer.